How states fared on unemployment benefits

The number of people applying for weekly unemployment benefits rose by 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 414,000, the Labor Department said Wednesday. The figures suggest that companies aren't rapidly increasing layoffs, despite weak economic data. But they aren't hiring much either.

Here are states with the biggest increases and decreases in applications, and some of the reasons for the changes. The data is for the week ending Aug. 27, one week behind the national data:

States with the biggest increases:

California: Up 3,337, due to layoffs in the service sector

South Carolina: Up 3,108, due to layoffs in machinery manufacturing

States with the biggest decreases:

New Jersey: Down 2,415, due to fewer layoffs in the information, trade, and transportation industries

Pennsylvania: Down 2,371, no reason given

Oregon: Down 1,680, no reason given

North Carolina: Down 1,591, due to fewer layoffs in textiles and other industries